How to get airport lounge access: a guide for casual travellers | The Canberra Times

Airports have a way of testing our patience. Between the convoluted security lines and $9 bottles of water, they can leave passengers feeling exhausted before their plane even leaves the ground.

So it’s no wonder that economy travelers look longingly at airport lounges, a peaceful haven of hot showers, open bars and buffet meals.

The good news is that you don’t have to be the corporate elite to escape the madness of the terminal.

Point Hacks editor-in-chief Brandon Loo said credit card deals and airline status are important, but travelers may pay fees to enter some airport lounges.

“You don’t need to fly business class. In fact, I imagine most people visiting the lounges are in economy class,” he said.

There are two different categories of airport lounges; those operated by an airline and independent, third-party lounges.

Knowing the difference changes how much you pay, how you get in the door and often what you get in, Mr. Loo said.

He said airline-operated lounges, such as Qantas Club, were “mainly for senior members of frequent flyer programs as well as business class passengers”.

Travelers can often pay for access to a standalone lounge, such as Marhaba Lounge, The House by Aspire, or Plaza Premium Lounge. Single-entry passes usually cost between $50 and $75.

“Third-party lounges are operated by a wide variety of companies, but the most common would probably be Plaza Premium,” Mr. Loo said.

“Any passenger can pay to use one of these independent lounges,” he said.

Although there are some independent lounges in Australian domestic terminals, these are predominantly located in international terminals.

“If you’re paying to get into a Virgin lounge, which is $65, that can still get you pretty good food and drink in airport terminals,” Mr. Loo said.

“When you go abroad, the quality of lounges improves greatly… you have airlines like Cathay Pacific… in these lounges you can sometimes expect high-end beverages like champagne, made-to-order meals,” he said.

For those who don’t travel for business every week, building elite airline loyalty status with dozens of flights may not be a realistic goal.

Therefore, taking advantage of credit card privileges may be the most cost-effective way. Many premium or co-branded cards include free passes in their annual fees, Mr. Loo said.

“Having access via credit card is probably the easiest way… you probably have two lounge passes that you can use and it won’t cost you any extra money because you’ve already paid for it as part of your card’s benefits,” he said.

But for those who think outside the box, there are ways to strive for greater access.

“If you’re flying Virgin Australia, they also sell business class access at the gate for $65 per person if you don’t normally have access,” the points program expert said.

“But you can also bid on an upgrade, and sometimes quotes start as low as $60 or $70. If you get that, not only do you get lounge access, but you also get all the benefits of business class.”

While some airport lounge bugs will cause the traveler to stand at the door, others will only draw stares from nearby passengers.

Navigating these areas requires an understanding of both formal rules and unwritten etiquette.

Mr Loo said strict dress codes apply in some lounges, such as the Qantas domestic lounge.

Once you enter the venue, it is important to keep noise to a minimum.

“It’s generally frowned upon for people to have loud calls, video calls, business conference calls in lounges because at the end of the day, it’s still a shared space,” Mr. Loo said.

He also advised travelers to resist the urge to view luxury amenities as free souvenirs.

“Singapore Airlines lounges have some really fancy TWG teas and I’ve seen people put tea bags in their pockets before… it’s kind of funny but you know, you probably shouldn’t do that.”

For those willing to make a long-term play with frequent flyer points and airline status, the real reward lies beyond business lounges.

“Premium lounges are kind of the pinnacle… This is the legendary lounge that everyone dreams of,” Mr. Loo said.

“You can have private rooms for naps, restaurant-level a la carte dining, and premium champagne.”

Mastering the art of lounge access means your vacation no longer starts when you arrive at your destination, but the moment you step through the airport gates.